[0:08] Father, we just come to you tonight, Lord. We're so grateful for all the the

[0:11] blessings that you've given us, God. Pray that you'd be with us in this

[0:14] meeting tonight. Pray that you would help us to do your will, God, and the

[0:17] decisions and the things that need to be made. God, we just thank you for this

[0:20] day. We thank you for all that you've done for us. In your name we pray. Amen.

[0:25] I aliance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic

[0:31] for which it stands. One nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and

[0:38] justice for all.

[0:47] » President

[0:50] Nichols Nelson

[0:53] President Morris person

[0:56] » here. Counsel >> here.

[0:57] » Council person Davis

[1:00] » here. >> Person

[1:01] » here. >> All right. I declare we have a quorum.

[1:04] So we will begin our meeting. Um if you read through your minutes from August,

[1:09] um there were a few errors. So we are going to postpone those for approval

[1:15] until the next meeting. So we'll jump right into department reports with

[1:21] Jason.

[1:26] So, park straight used 80 gallons of diesel, brought in $300 in village

[1:31] rentals, 600 in RV rentals. Our flag football program looked really good this

[1:35] year. We had 106 kids sign up, which is 30 more than last year, over 30 more

[1:40] than last year. We also had 11 local businesses sponsor our league, which is

[1:44] something new. The league starts next Monday.

[1:48] This past closed yesterday. Um, we have a softball tournament planned for

[1:52] October 17th and the pickle ball court update. The

[1:57] demo is complete and the the dirt works pretty much complete and they start some

[2:01] of the electrical install. That's all I got.

[2:04] » Thank you.

[2:16] Public Works collected $2,782.50 for class 3 all to the city shop.

[2:24] Collected 21,7965

[2:28] for rolloffs. We used 497.4 gallons of gas and 3,249.4

[2:36] gallons of diesel. 482.59

[2:39] tons of class one and 301.12 tons of class 3 to the west of this landfield

[2:46] cost of $34,683.75

[3:05] gallons of gas 36.9 gallons sold 17 permits, completed 46

[3:10] inspections, collected $4,743.90.

[3:15] » For the month of August, we had 68 fire runs or emergency responses, and as of

[3:20] now, we're at 599 for year. We did not complete any inspections, contact,

[3:29] but he is back here tonight. He did his appointment around the I believe for six

[3:37] weeks. So, um we are still hiring to fill two positions. So, if you know

[3:44] anyone that would be interested in starting a career with the fire

[3:46] department, please send them along way. We have principal ability test and

[3:49] application process and we are looking for some individuals join our team

[3:56] » fulltime. We always have parttime positions open but we currently have two

[3:59] fulltime positions ready to go. We did host last weekend. We had one candidate

[4:05] show up for that. >> So that position is still actively open.

[4:09] We're still trying to recruit for those because we absolutely want to make sure

[4:13] we're having the best people we can commit to the city like we continue to

[4:17] do.

[4:27] So, police department made 203 contacts this month. 23 felony arrests for 17

[4:33] accidents. Code enforcement made 54 total contacts,

[4:41] four active property searches, animal control side, dispatch 44 times.

[4:49] They picked up seven dogs. Six of them entered the kennels, but they were able

[4:53] to adopt four out return owners. Currently receiving 20 dogs issued seven

[4:58] citations and three warnings. >> Thank you.

[5:03] » All right. So, our city sales tax came in at just over 199,000 and our portion

[5:09] of the county came in at $141,700.

[5:13] We'd like to mention that registration is opened for winter conference for the

[5:19] Arkansas Municipal League. Those dates are January the 13th through the 15th.

[5:23] If you are planning on going, please reach out to Meredith so that you can

[5:29] get your registration done. Um, if we don't get registered before the end of

[5:34] September, um, the registration fee goes up $50.

[5:40] With that, I will entertain a motion to accept department reports as submitted.

[5:47] » All in favor? >> All right. First item on our agenda

[5:51] tonight is to recognize um Captain Joe's been with the city for 40 years. And um

[5:58] so there are some refreshments after the meeting. If you want to grab grab some

[6:03] of those, we would invite you to do that. And

[6:18] Chief was able to reach out to this capital and get a capital citation on

[6:22] behalf of Captain. We appreciate your many years of service. It's quite an

[6:27] accomplishment to have 40 years in at any job and we very much appreciate you

[6:34] and the leadership that you offer this department.

[7:02] I I will say on behalf of Captain Bron, this is not something that he is willing

[7:06] to accept. This is something that was done behind the scenes. Uh he's a very

[7:11] humble man. He has sat through many many years of different leadership and he

[7:15] served a lot of time in this city and he stays committed to this city today. He

[7:18] made a commitment to me four years almost four years ago to uh see his

[7:22] career through and we we work day in and day out to make sure that we're on the

[7:27] same page to allow him to continue the path for the longevity that he's put to

[7:31] this city. And to you I commend you anytime.

[7:42] and he's not trying to keep him as long as we can.

[7:47] We're not celebrating retirement tonight. We're celebrating his

[7:50] dedication and his service.

[7:55] » A new life, new beginning.

[8:00] The next item on our agenda is 700 with economic development.

[8:07] Good evening everybody.

[8:10] » How many of you are familiar with Proposition three that's on the ballot

[8:15] this November?

[8:18] » Okay. All right. So, I am by no means an expert on this. I just wanted to give

[8:24] you guys a little bit of information about the proposition that is on the

[8:28] ballot. Um, it is a constitutional amendment. It's one of three that the

[8:32] legislature put onto the November ballot. Uh it is authorizing the general

[8:38] assembly to provide for the creation of economic development districts within

[8:42] cities, counties or cooperative areas to promote economic development within the

[8:48] economic development district. A lot of words, right? Uh so basically what that

[8:54] means is out of the 50 US states, two states

[8:59] don't have incentives to bring in business. Can you guess which states

[9:03] those are? Arkansas's one and the other is Arizona.

[9:07] We are the only two states in the US that don't do it. All of our bordering

[9:11] states have incentives to bring in businesses. So that's why you see so

[9:16] much development in other areas going on. Arkansas still does well with

[9:21] development, but this would help us attract businesses, industry, and others

[9:25] to come in because we would be able to create these districts to allow us to

[9:30] incentivize them. Um the way the Vote for this means we are in favor of

[9:38] changing the Arkansas Constitution regarding economic development, which

[9:43] includes allowing the legislature to create programs, loans, or grants of

[9:47] public money and established economic development districts. This allows the

[9:52] districts to levy taxes, assessments, and fees, allowing counties,

[9:56] municipalities, economic development districts, and other political

[10:00] subdivisions to issue bonds to finance economic development projects. if it's

[10:05] approved by the voters of the jurisdiction and to repeal any parts of

[10:09] the Arkansas Constitution and supersede court rulings that may be in conflict

[10:13] with the uh amendment. So the bottom line on this is the issue three does not

[10:20] raise taxes. It does not impact existing revenues in communities. Uh it gives

[10:26] local control. So there will be a board that runs the economic development

[10:32] district. You can more than one district within a parameter. Uh so it gives us

[10:38] local control to make our own decisions about incentivizing development as

[10:42] needed. Um it put tool it gives us extra tools that we currently don't have uh

[10:49] that the other 48 states use basically against us to win deals. Um and it helps

[10:55] us level the playing field with uh Tennessee and Texas and Oklahoma and

[11:01] Missouri and others that are getting that we may not be getting that we might

[11:05] be in the lead for if we had this. Uh, currently in Arkansas,

[11:11] what we have available uh to bring in business is we have tax credits for

[11:16] investment and job creation. And then we have historic preservation tax credits.

[11:22] And if any of y'all have ever tried to do a historic preservation tax credit,

[11:27] that's you need your own set of lawyers and three years to get half of the

[11:33] documents that require for that. So by doing this

[11:38] » if it's improved it approved in November we would have three new tools. We would

[11:43] have a pro a property tax which is a tiff which is an abatement or a rebate.

[11:48] Uh we'd be able to issue bonds against future revenue generated by the project.

[11:53] Uh sales tax which would be star bonds. Uh, so that would also be bonds against

[11:58] future revenue that would be held by the developer and owner, not the community.

[12:02] And then there's a thing they modeled a lot of this after Texas. So right now

[12:07] it's called the Texas 380 style agreement. Works as a works as a rebate.

[12:13] It's a zero risk to the community. It's incentive only and it's paid when new

[12:17] revenue is generated. Um, and so the developer fronts all of money and the

[12:22] dollar amount is negotiated on the front end and it's repaid then the incentive

[12:27] is over. Uh so and most of the economic development

[12:33] uh districts are a 30-year district. Uh so

[12:39] you know what does it look like for us? The city or county if this is passed you

[12:47] are uh the ones that would create a district. So, uh, as city council, you

[12:55] can create a district. So, there would be board members associated with it, and

[13:00] mayor or county judge if it's in the city or if it's in the county. Uh,

[13:05] there's a sales tax that's limited to the entity that creates it. Uh, and then

[13:11] municipal like the wind, Cherry Valley, Hickory Ridge, they could all join

[13:15] together as one big uh or you can have smaller different is and the the

[13:22] districts do not have to talk to us. Um, so this is a very short overall for you.

[13:31] The last time I sat through this, it was a 45 minute presentation and I knew you

[13:35] guys not up for that. So I have a sheet for you guys that kind of gives you like

[13:41] what does it do, what does it not do with a website. So I'll get those to you

[13:45] guys before you leave tonight. Um, there's a lot more information

[13:50] But I wanted to make sure that you guys are aware of this, that it's on the

[13:53] ballot in November, and see if there's any questions or if you'd like us to get

[13:58] uh someone else to come and do the longer presentation for you guys. So, is

[14:04] there any questions I can answer for y'all tonight?

[14:09] » It's something that will be helpful to all of us if it passes. Um I fear that

[14:16] if it doesn't pass this time, I don't know when the next time Arkansas

[14:20] like this forward for economic development.

[14:23] » Currently, economic development dollars can only be used for industry. And where

[14:29] you see this used a lot in Texas is it's for like retail, restaurants, um housing

[14:36] subdivisions and things like that, >> hotels.

[14:39] » That's it's more of your quality of life, but it does also benefit the same.

[14:46] » Yes. I was going to say, so on the housing development stuff, the set stuff

[14:50] that I've sat through, they actually can negotiate with the subdivision um

[14:55] stakeholders where they'll get the infrastructure put in for the sewer, the

[14:59] street, the water, the lights, and then it can come back where they get their

[15:02] dollars and that abatement. So, it allows them to put the infrastructure in

[15:06] the ground at no cost to us, and we would absorb that once the neighborhood

[15:10] is completed and all that stuff is done. So, it helps us on not just the retail

[15:14] space, but it helps us on the residential spaces as well.

[15:20] There's no questions for >> like there's a lot to it. So be happy to

[15:26] get you guys with they have attorneys all over the state talking about it.

[15:31] » All right, Beon. Thank you very much. We'll move on. Um we have three

[15:36] resolutions um concerning property tonight. So

[15:41] come >> all remember we've done this several

[15:45] times now. specific way we have to handle it. So, we kind of treat this

[15:50] like a hearing. See, you know, we notice these individuals up make sure they're

[15:53] not here. If they are, they have a right to be heard. So, we'll start. I'm This

[15:58] This will be the property that ultimately we'll address in resolution

[16:01] 9826A. So, let me check. Is James Watts Jr.

[16:06] here?

[16:09] I'm call Jessica. She's got some information on this property. I'm going

[16:12] let her talk about that and we'll be asking you to look at resolution.

[16:28] Yeah, sorry. This is regarding the property at

[16:31] » 403 West. >> 403 West. Anybody here on 403 West

[16:35] Union?

[16:44] So, these are photos that were taken as of today

[16:50] for the property. Um, the property belongs to James Watch.

[16:56] The property has busted and boarded up windows.

[16:59] Things like tarps and tote covering up windows. It's been abandoned for quite

[17:04] some time. The roof obvious has also obvious damage. Uh it's very unsightly.

[17:10] Has places where animals and vermin can nest inside and become a nuisance. Uh

[17:15] we've spoke to Mr. Lights in the past about the property in person. He stated

[17:19] that he was going to upkeep the grass. He stated at one time he was selling it

[17:23] and then we found out later it was in litigation. Um which settled in March of

[17:29] 2026. Um, on May 11th, 2026, a notice of

[17:33] violation was sent to Mr. Wash regarding the property. Uh, the tracking on that

[17:37] letter states that it is currently being held at the post office per the

[17:42] recipient's request and has not been picked up. Um, on August 24th, 2026, we

[17:48] sent a notice to condemn and a notice of the city council meeting for tonight um,

[17:52] and for the resolution for the property. Uh, that same letter was posted on the

[17:56] property and tracking on that it was received.

[18:05] ask

[18:18] a resulting certain property located at 43 West Arkansas.

[18:24] Whereas city enforcement officer has investigated property owned by James

[18:28] which is located at 43 West Union County 900-0151-001

[18:36] legal description block 2 in block

[18:42] Arkansas whereas structure on the property has busted up windows with

[18:45] tarps and toe lids covering some windows and the roof has obvious damage whereas

[18:49] the property is unsightly it's open conditions where animals nest inside a

[18:55] nuisance and whereas the enforcement officer spoke with Junior in person

[18:59] regarding the property and Mr. Grass but that was all he was doing at

[19:06] the time and whereas a city learned by Mr.

[19:12] March 26 and whereas on May 11th not

[19:19] post office whereas August 24th 126 owner was mass

[19:25] certified regular mail written notification of the September 8th 126

[19:30] city council meeting and his right at the same and said notice was posted on

[19:33] the property and where the city council find that the structure and condition of

[19:37] the property constitute nuance and are detrimental to the health and welfare of

[19:40] the city. Now therefore be resolved by the city

[19:44] council of the city of Win Arkansas that one the structure located at 43 West

[19:48] Union cross Arkansas is hereby declared to be a nuisance pursuit to the

[19:51] ordinances of the city of wind. Two said property shall have 30 days from the

[19:57] posting and resolution to structure otherwise the nuisance.

[20:02] If the nance is not available within the time provided, the city

[20:06] officer or designated representative is authorized to remove or cause removal of

[20:10] the structure in accordance with the city ordinance or the cost associated

[20:15] with clean as provided by law and ordinances of the

[20:20] city of wind. Approval September 26.

[20:28] I can entertain a motion to pass resolution 98268.

[20:35] All in favor? >> Any opposed?

[20:38] Motion carries. Next property is 420 Street.

[20:44] » Is anybody here on 420 K Street specifically?

[20:50] Yes, sir.

[20:54] Here

[21:05] are the photos that were taken today for the property. It also belongs to James

[21:11] Jr. Uh the property on the the structure on the property is considered a burnout.

[21:16] It's very dilapidated and collapsed on all sides. It's mostly a pile of debris

[21:21] that is unsightly and a nuisance. We received multiple complaints from people

[21:26] that live in the area. Um is also not in compliance with the city orders

[21:30] pertaining to tall grass, weeds, and vegetation.

[21:34] On November 26, 2025, I spoke to and had delivered notice of violation regarding

[21:39] the property um where again he stated he was selling it and found out it was a

[21:44] litigation which also settled in March 2026.

[21:49] Um in this property and the last property were both left hand judicials.

[21:54] Um we sent notice violations certified mail tracking letter shows the same as

[22:00] on the other property. It shows that it is being held at the post office per the

[22:05] recipient's request. On August 24th, 2026 we sent a notice to condemn and a

[22:10] notice is in council meeting on September 8th both standard and

[22:14] certified mail. And we also posted that on the property as well. Mr.

[22:22] Resolution number 986

[22:27] resolution certain property located

[22:32] there. A city enforcement officer has property own

[22:42] 348 lot 13 and block 32

[22:49] northern additions to the city of W County and whereas the struct property

[22:54] is burned out severely collapsing on all sides and is largely debris and the

[22:59] property is also severely overgrown with tall grass weeds and

[23:03] And whereas on November 26, 2025, code enforcement officer spoke with and hand

[23:07] delivered notice of violation to James Jr. who stated he was attempting to sell

[23:11] the property. And whereas the city was later informed property was involved in

[23:14] litigation to Mr. family member which litigation settled in March 26 with the

[23:19] property remaining with James Jr. and whereas on May 14th the city was unable

[23:25] to deliver another notice at Mr. and sent to notice by certified

[23:42] regular mail notices city council meeting and his right to be

[23:46] heard at the same notice posted on the property and where the city council find

[23:51] of the property constitute a nuisance and are detrimental to the health safety

[23:54] and welfare of the citizens of Now that appropate by city council of

[23:58] the city of Arkansas that one the structural 420 street men cross Arkansas

[24:04] is hereby declared to be a nuisance pursuant to the ordinances of the city

[24:07] when two structure is hereby condemned and the owners of property 30 days from

[24:11] posting and resolution to remove the structure or otherwise the nuisance. If

[24:16] the nuisance is not available within the time provided, city of wind officer or

[24:20] designated representative to remove or cause the removal of the structure in

[24:25] the city of the cost

[24:32] as

[24:40] resolution.

[24:45] In favor,

[24:58] so everybody here on 14 Street is Harold Davis or Tina Middleton.

[25:22] photos from today. The property 14 Street belongs to Harold

[25:29] Davis has some obvious roof damage, inadequate plumbing, unsightly and

[25:35] sanitary conditions and tall grass on the fence on the property. Uh, we

[25:39] started receiving complaints, well I started receiving complaints when I

[25:42] started in last year, June 23, 2025, stating the conditions in the backyard

[25:48] were causing rodents and burning and they were becoming a problem. Uh, the

[25:52] tenant residing there, Carl Glen Lee, was staying there with no electricity

[25:56] and no water. He's still currently staying there with no water and no

[26:00] electricity. Um, I confirmed that both with water and electric company. Um, she

[26:06] the the complaintant stated that the Mr. Lee was deficated in the backyard due to

[26:11] no running water and inadequate plumbing. I made attempt at the

[26:14] residence multiple times. Um eventually caught up with Mr. Carl Glen Lee on a

[26:20] traffic stop. Um issued written warnings. Um also issued written

[26:25] warnings to the owner, Mr. Gerald Davis. Um he

[26:30] the 10day period of time went by, no progress was made. So I then issued

[26:35] citations um which on that court Mr. Lee reached out to me and stated that he was

[26:41] just going to plead guilty and pay the fines and as of today that's the

[26:46] condition of the house still and there's still inadequate plumbing and no

[26:49] electricity. Um on August 21st we sent a notice to condemn and notify of the city

[26:56] council meeting tonight. They also hosted on the property and I do know

[27:02] that Mr. Carl Finley was aware of tonight's meeting has since we posted

[27:08] the letter on the property. He has removed it multiple times. So that's

[27:13] that's as far as all the contact we've had with him since we sent those.

[27:17] And Carl Wley is the the tenant at the house.

[27:28] Resolution

[27:36] number 2026 C resolution declaring certain

[27:40] property located at 410 Bruce Street and the

[27:46] city officer has investigated property wav

[27:50] Middleton which is located at 410 street par 900375900

[27:58] legal scripture in the south.4 of lot number one in Robertson edition city of

[28:03] cross county Arkansas and whereas the property has roof damage inadequate

[28:06] plumbing unsanitary conditions and tall grass behind on the property and whereas

[28:11] beginning on June 23rd 26 the city received complaints from a neighboring

[28:15] resident that conditions and effect were causing rodents to become a problem and

[28:19] that the was residing on property without

[28:22] electricity or running water. Whereas the city confirmed with wind water and

[28:26] the electric company that there were no utility services at the property and the

[28:30] city was further advised the tenant was in the backyard due to the lack of

[28:33] running water and inadequate sun. And whereas after an unsuccessful attempt to

[28:38] contact the tenant at the residence city contacted owner Harold W. Davis and

[28:42] verbally warned him that the property needed to be addressed and after 10 10

[28:46] days pass progress written warnings were issued to both the tenant and the owner.

[28:51] Whereas after the time provided to address the violations expired without

[28:54] progress citations were issued to Carl Lee no later who later advised that he

[28:59] pleaded guilty in court and would pay fines but no progress has been made to

[29:02] date. Whereas on August 21st, 2026, the owners were mailed by certified regular

[29:07] mail, written notification of September 8th, 26 city council meeting and their

[29:11] right to be heard at the same and said notice posted the property. And whereas

[29:14] city council find of property constitute nuance and the health, safety, and

[29:19] welfare of the citizens of win Arkansas. Now therefore be resolved on the city

[29:22] council of the city of Win Arkansas that one structure of 410 street crossing

[29:27] Arkansas pursuant to the ordinance of the city of

[29:30] Win. Two, structure is hereby condemned and the owners of the property shall 30

[29:34] days from the posting and mailing resolution to remove the structure or

[29:37] otherwise the nuisance. Three, if the nuisance is not evaded within the time

[29:41] provided, the city officer is designated representative is authorized to remove

[29:46] or cause removal of the structure in accordance with the city nuisance

[29:49] abatement ordinance. Four, the cost associated with the

[29:53] removal of the property shall constitute against property as law and ordinances

[29:57] of the city.

[30:01] question

[30:08] that process

[30:16] I don't know that answer right now what I'll do

[30:26] resolution so we have some time

[30:32] It doesn't change what it's obvious.

[30:41] So I will look into that as an issue we need to address.

[30:53] » All in favor? >> Any opposed?

[30:57] All right. That is the last item on our agenda. We did have two sign up for

[31:03] public comments. I will remind you that public comments are just about public

[31:07] comments and that they're limited to three minutes. The first person signed

[31:12] up is Connie Robinson.

[31:25] » Good evening. Good evening.

[31:30] » Um, I would just like to say um to the mayor and the city councilman, I'm

[31:37] writing this memo to make my heart known, not in anger, not in wrath,

[31:44] but in truth, love, and a deep commitment to our community. There are

[31:50] some in our community who called me or may have labeled me as an angry black

[31:55] woman. I

[31:58] want the mayor, the council, and all citizens to understand how I truly look

[32:04] at my community and why I speak the way that I do or when I do speak. I'm not

[32:09] angry. I am a woman who stands on what is right. I stand for fairness, honesty,

[32:16] and justice. The people in our community deserve to be treated fair and honest.

[32:22] When I speak, I speak for them. A voice for those who are often unheard,

[32:29] overlooked, and mistreated. My passion comes from love for win and from a

[32:36] desire to see our city move forward together.

[32:40] You can't hide what's in your heart. BLESSED ARE THE PURE in heart. They

[32:46] shall for they shall see God. Throughout scripture, the heart is used.

[32:54] Let me say that word. The heart represents the innermost part of your

[32:58] person. The seat of your motives, your attitude, the center of your personality

[33:03] is in your heart. You can hide what's in your heart. It shows on You can't hide

[33:09] what's in your heart. Let me say it shows on your face, shows in your

[33:14] expressions. You can mask it, you can disguise it, play, act, but you can't

[33:20] hide what's in your heart. So this the heart being the seat of emotions also

[33:26] include your thinking process. From the heart flows the issues of life.

[33:31] Scripture said as a man thinkketh in his heart so is he. What is in your heart

[33:36] will come out of your expressions. It comes out of your action. Because from

[33:41] your thoughts come your desires. From your desires come your action. Because

[33:46] it all starts in your heart. Those who don't like me can't hide it because it

[33:54] comes out when you don't try to know me. I can't be almost a Christian. I can't

[34:03] be divided but unity if we if we don't agree.

[34:09] We can't be divided and want what's best for my heart is

[34:14] pure. I love this community. I want what is best for every family, every child in

[34:21] every neighborhood and win. I believe in working together with honesty and

[34:26] respect TO BUILD A BETTER, STRONGER, and more unity city. I ask the mayor in the

[34:31] council to see me for who I really am, a servant, a concerned citizen,

[34:39] » in a person who speak for the people. My words will be strong at times, but my

[34:44] heart is white. >> Excuse me. by motives are good.

[34:48] » Your 3 minutes is up. >> A voice from the people of W. Thank you,

[34:52] » Miss Janice. You're signed up next.

[35:01] » Good evening, Mayor. I heard you say on 926

[35:06] that the ditches will be cleaned out, but where I live in is not cleaned out

[35:12] in church. in church.

[35:25] We want to know when you

[35:30] » All right, that concludes our meeting.

[35:35] I will remind you there's refreshments for the family to be able to partake of

[35:40] that and anybody else that would like to and meet you with the journey.

City of Wynne - September 2026 City Council Meeting

Transcript